More & More

We had an incredible trip to Haiti! Sunday morning we dedicated the new church and there were over 6000 people packed into the building. They were all worshiping and rejoicing over the goodness of The Lord and His faithfulness. These were people who lost loved ones in the earthquake of 2010…spouses, children, family members, friends… Their church building collapsed on 30 Bible college students, burying them alive. Three and a half years later God has blessed them with a beautiful new building and wow did they celebrate. Their dedication service was over 5 hours long with lots of music, dancing, speeches from government officials, prayers, prophesies, and words of encouragement.

On Monday morning, my daughter, Bethany, ministered during morning exercises to their Jr. High & High School students and then I ministered in a women’s conference. I decided that I would take off my hat while I was ministering to show the women that no matter what the enemy sends our way, we can stand up tall and confident in who we are in Christ Jesus. So for the first time in a public setting, I went ala naturale. (It felt so good to not have anything on my head in the heat.) The women cheered when I took my hat off. Now if I could only get the courage to do it here at home. 🙂

The Haitian people are so resilient and love God with such passion. I learned a song while I was there and it is now my favorite new song: More & More by B J Putnam. They sang it in both English & Creole. Our church has been reading through the book of Psalms and I realize that David’s success as a leader was because of His love and desire for the presence of God. David knew where to go to find help, strength, peace, joy, wisdom…anything that he needed. David wrote again and again that he longed for God’s presence and desired it more than life itself. I realize that if I want to be a success in life, if I want to have peace and joy every day, I have to spend time in the presence of God. It is what makes life worth living. It is what gives me the strength I need everyday.

I am over halfway through my radiation. I am stretching my arm like my doctor has told me to do, but I am so ready for all the pain to be gone and to have full movement in my arm again. I have been praying that the lymph nodes that I have left would be more than adequate to keep my arm healthy and strong and that I would never have lymphodema or other complications from the surgery. I have started the 5 year chemo pill and don’t seem to be having any side effects from it, thank God! I really didn’t want to take it, but I am trying to be a good patient and praying that God will show me if and when I can stop taking it. I am also continuing to get Herceptin infusions every 3 weeks in Dallas. The main symptoms that I experience from all of this treatment is tiredness and pain and stiffness in my arm. But it is so much better than it was while I was in chemotherapy. So The Lord is good and I am doing well.

On a light note, Haiti was soooooo hot! We wouldn’t have air conditioning in our room at night if Haiti Electric didn’t cut on. I was told that the electricity hadn’t come on for over two weeks. The first night we were there it was hard to sleep because it was so hot. So the next day Pastor Jay put me in charge of praying for electricity at night. I prayed hard and I am happy to say that we had air conditioning all that night and the next. We left out on Monday afternoon and I have heard that they haven’t had electricity or air conditioning at night since. I guess God loves me more! (They have really missed me since I left.)

Psalm 103
2 Let all that I am praise the Lord;
may I never forget the good things he does for me.
3 He forgives all my sins
and heals all my diseases.
4 He redeems me from death
and crowns me with love and tender mercies.
5 He fills my life with good things.
My youth is renewed like the eagle’s!

Comments

Great report, 5 hours of worship and word…WOW I can do that!! You encourage me to see how strong you have been this season, WOW even showing your head that is vulnerable. But God is Great He can protect the heart!!! Remember me next you go.
Love you
Gail Maloney

Loved the blog…rich with so many different things on so many different levels! Thanks for posting the video of the song. I can understand why it’s your new favorite; it’s wonderful. Thanks for joining us for lunch; you blessed our special occasion, too. : ) Much love, Penny

Lanell,
I’m so glad you and Bethany were able to go and be a part of that wonderful celebration for Jay and Linda and COTR. You both made a dynamic impact!! You never cease to amaze me LaNell. You are such a world changer. I’m blessed to be your friend.
Love you!
Beverly

You are such an inspiration to so many people. You have prayed with me at church a few times and at made a difference…made me know I was coming back to COTR. So many things in this world bring us down. I thank you for being wonderful you. I come to church some days with the world on my shoulders but you and Pastor John make things better. I’m a single mother who struggles to do all I can to provide for my children. My sister in law who has been battling cancer and my brother are staying in my home because they have no jobs…and their electricity has been turned off. Help me pray for some relief for them she almost died..and it has taken a toll on her family.. Pray for me to be able to cope with the things I need to. God bless you.